The Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of the greatest monastic ruins in Wales, originally founded in 1131 by Walter de Clare and added to and updated in every century until its dissolution in 1536. Thankfully for its preservation, its history was relatively uneventful and it suffered little in the Welsh uprisings of the medieval period.
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Daily
Chepstow Racecourse annually hosts the Welsh National, the biggest and richest race meeting of the year. The track is popular with racegoers especially for this Christmas season racing calendar highlight.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
Each year on Whit Sunday the small village of St Briavels, in the Wye Valley, plays host to the Bread and Cheese Dole. Anticipate a scrum as villagers jostle for their share of a curious bounty...
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May 2013 (annual)
Bore is the rather curious name given to a unique tidal phenomenon. An exceptionally high tide produces a wave so large that it travels upstream within the banks of the nearest river, sometimes for several miles. Favourable conditions for a really big Bore, such as a strong following wind, can produce a wave on the Severn river over two metres high, moving at an average speed of 16 kilometres per hour. The waves attract hundreds of spectators and more excitingly, the daring and intrepid Bore Riders.
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Daily
Paris, Milan, London and now Bristol can lay claim to their own fashion week. Held at Cribbs Causeway Mall, catwalk shows display the coming season's newest trends, while stylists, colourists and beauticians are on hand to give shoppers fashion advice.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Newport's Celtic Manor Hotel & Country Club hosts the Wales Open, one of the golf tournaments on the PGA European Tour. The spectacular new Twenty Ten course provides a stiff challenge for competitors, and excellent facilities for spectators.
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May - Jun 2013 (annual)
The 11th-century Goodrich Castle near the banks of the River Wye is one of Herefordshire's most popular visitor attractions. It boasts one of the most complete sets of medieval domestic buildings surviving in any English castle.
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Daily
Wales was the Roman Empire's furthest outpost and Caerleon fortress, built in AD 75, guarded the region for more than two centuries. The National Roman Legion Museum explores the formidable Roman force, how they lived, fought, worshipped and died.
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Daily
Situated in the beautiful parkland of the Blaise Estate, the Blaise Castle House Museum was an 18th century house and now holds most of the Museums Service's social history collection. It was immortalised by Jane Austen, who described it as "the finest place in England" in Northanger Abbey.
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Daily; not Thu or Fri
The annual Fireworks Extravaganza at Pontypool Park celebrates Guy Fawkes Night with a fireworks display synchronised to music. There are free glowsticks for children. Arrive early to get a good spot.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Rugby Union side Newport Gwent Dragons welcome Magners League teams to their Rodney Parade stadium for the 2011/2012season. Please visit the club's website for full details of all fixtures.
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Sep 2012 - May 2013 (annual)
Even the 21st-century building that houses The Riverfront is a work of art. You will find everything from comedy to opera workshops at Newport's modern waterfront arts centre and theatre. Don't miss the free gallery of photography, art and design.
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Daily; not Sun
Top international snooker players assemble at the Newport Centre to contest the Welsh Open Snooker Championships. Defending champion John Higgins has competition for his crown from the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Welsh ace Mark Williams.
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Feb 2013 (annual)
Enjoy national art exhibitions or trace Newport's colourful history via archaeology, art and natural history at the Newport Museum and Art Gallery. Collections include an insight into the building of the city's Transporter Bridge and artefacts from 250,000BC.
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Daily; not Sun
The Friends Life T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Gloucestershire Gladiators play their home games at the County Ground in Bristol.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Newport's massive Transporter Bridge looms over the city's skyline and is one of only eight "aerial ferries" in the world. Emblematic of Newport since its construction in 1906, it also has the distinction of being a Grade 1-listed structure.
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Daily
Attaining cathedral status in 1949, the site of the historic St Woolos Cathedral has been a place of worship since the 6th century. Retaining many original features, this "old Welsh dragon" overlooks Newport town centre from high on Stow Hill.
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Daily
Rajpoot Restaurant is housed in a grand, split-level Georgian house that overlooks Bristol's Clifton Downs. The extensive menu draws influence from throughout India, with an impressive number of fish dishes. For dessert, try Mughal sweets like iced Rasgulla cooked in syrup with green cardamom or hot fried Jalabies with vanilla ice cream.
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Daily; not Sun
Anywhere with reindeer has a headstart on festive celebrations, so Bristol Zoo Gardens is just the place to spend a Fantabulous Christmas! For two days, entertainers, bands, storytellers and Santa himself are on hand to ensure everyone feels some Christmas cheer.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
Bristol Zoo Gardens, located in large award-winning gardens in Clifton, carries out conservation projects and breeds endangered species. The Seal & Penguin zone is particularly popular, allowing visitors to see creatures beneath the water's surface, through transparent tunnels.
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Daily
Get less bang for your buck at Bristol Zoo Gardens this Guy Fawkes Night! As its animals are distressed by the conventional clamour of fireworks displays, the zoo holds a special, but silent, fireworks spectacular to celebrate this usually cacophonous night.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Platform 1 in Clifton attracts a crowd who enjoy dancing to a range of good music. The excellent sound system plays an eclectic mix of house, disco, funk and soul in this cosy underground venue with its retro décor.
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Daily
A long-established, award-winning Bristol favourite, Bell's Diner in Montpelier serves European food with a modern twist, such as beef carpaccio with a beetroot sorbet. The understated décor in cool colours with pristine white tablecoths belies the buzzy atmosphere. It is ideal for those with an adventurous palate. Reservations are a must.
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Daily; not Sun
Discovered in 2002 on the banks of the river Usk, the well-preserved remains of this 15th-century merchant vessel have put Newport on the archaeological map. Conservation work open days reveal fascinating secrets about nautical life in the Age of Discovery.
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Daily
The Croft on Stokes Croft showcases local, national and international DJs and live bands. The laid-back Front Bar regularly hosts DJs and acoustic bands and the Back Room has live acts most nights of the week.
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Daily
The Abergavenny Food Festival is a highlight of the Welsh culinary calendar. The event offers visitors tasting opportunities, cooking demonstrations, and a chance to talk to famous foodies and established and up-and-coming chefs and authors.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Bristol's first art gallery, the Royal West of England Academy in Clifton was founded in 1849. Housed in a magnificent grade II-listed building, the gallery contains many fine works bequeathed by the academy's main benefactor, Ellen Sharples, plus new additions.
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Daily
The Royal West of England Academy presents its most popular exhibition of the year. The Autumn Exhibition features over 500 watercolour, oil, paint, print, sculpture, photography and drawing works chosen from 1500 pieces submitted by well-known and little-known artists.
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Oct - Dec 2013 (annual)
The Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the Avon Gorge in Clifton, is Bristol's most distinctive landmark. Designed by British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the bridge was opened in 1864 to carry horse-drawn vehicles, but now around 12,000 cars cross daily.
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Daily
Amoeba in Clifton is an ideal place to spend an evening people watching out front or quietly chatting with friends on the terrace. The drinks menu includes cocktails, spirits and beers from around the world including refreshing fruit beers.
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Daily
Zerodegrees is a city centre microbrewery serving black, wheat, pale and pilsner ales as well as thirst-quenching fruit beers. Pizzas from a wood-burning stove complement the beers and the open terrace has views across the city's rooftops.
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Daily
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in Clifton houses permanent displays of local, national and international interest and excellent temporary exhibitions, usually with a local theme. The top-floor galleries include Old Masters and a collection of British and modern art.
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Daily
The natural world is brought into fresh focus with the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery. Travel the globe through the eye of a lens, from the cold Arctic to the deepest tropical rainforests.
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Nov 2012 - Mar 2013 (annual)
The University of Bristol Botanic Garden is on a secluded site near the edge of the Avon Gorge. A peaceful oasis away from the city, it's also a learning experience.
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Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sun only
Boston Tea Party in Park Street serves delicious, affordable meals with ingredients mainly sourced from the West Country. The menu covers light snacks to more substantial meals such as sweet potato and feta wraps. Diners can choose from eating upstairs in the terraced garden or snacking on a panini on one of the comfy sofas.
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Daily
Big-name UK and international DJs appear regularly at The Syndicate, a superclub in the city centre. The main arena pumps out dance music from a sophisticated sound system and room two offers alternative music, including punk and rock.
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Daily
The generous portions, good value and excellent service at the Beijing Bistro on Park Street ensures a loyal following. The minimalist, modern décor in this split-level venue does not detract from the delicious wok-fried noodle dishes served piping hot. The large windows overlooking Park Street make it a great place for people watching.
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Daily
The Bristol Guild on Park Street, a labyrinthine building covering three floors, is a landmark shop selling hand-crafted and designer gifts. You'll also find unusual toys, gourmet foods, jewellery, furniture, crafts and kitchenware.
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Daily; not Sun
Bristol's Red Lodge is a magnificent 16th-century house, furnished in both Elizabethan and Georgian styles. It houses one of the city's greatest treasures: the Great Oak Room, considered to be one of the finest Elizabethan rooms in the West Country.
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Daily; not Thu or Fri
The Big Chill Bristol brings the laid-back vibes and atmosphere of the Big Chill Festival to the South West. Expect comfy spaces, cool design and a relaxing blend of drinks, music and food. DJs spin tunes in the bar.
Available :
Daily
08457 76 76 76
